in new york city, the crystal ball is in place and confetti ready to fly. organizers of the new year's eve bash on times square conducted a confetti test, throwing handfuls from an eighth story window to test its airworthiness. and the start of the new year means you'll have to start thinking of filing 2012 taxes and although there are a few days left in the new year, it's not too late to ensure you get a bigger return. >> the clock is ticking down on 2012 but you've still got time to make your tax return a little bigger. >> charitable deductions. you have time to increase charitable deductions through cash contributions or noncash contributions to organizations like good will and salvation army. >> those donations are tax deductible. you can also increase mortgage interest deduction by making a payment a few days early. >> pay your january 2013 mortgage before december 31 and that will add an extra month of mortgage interest to deductions. >> you also have until december 31 to file for homestead tax credit. king says it's a simple online application that t